Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus



H. E. STILES AND A. H. F. PERL. com FREED ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-$1916.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEEI I- jam?) on uZZEr/aqy H. E. STILES AND A. H. F. PERL. com FBEED ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9, 1916.

1,331,036. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

H. E. STILES AND A. H. F. PERL. COIN FHEED ELECTRIC ILLUMllv'ATING APPARATUS.

1&331036. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. 1916. Patented Feb-17,1920.

3 SHEETSSHEI 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIUE.

HENRY EDWIN STILES AN 1) ALBERT HENRY FRANKS PERL, 0F GHISWICK, LONDON, ENGLAND.

COIN-FREED ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

Application filed February 9, 1916. Serial No. 77,348.

2" 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY EDWIN STILEs and ALBERT HENRY FnANKs PERL, subjects of His Majesty the King of England, residing at Chiswick, in the county of London, Kingdom of England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Freed Electric Illuminating- Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of improvements in coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus in which electric illumination can be obtained intermittently or continuously by the insertion of a coin and the manual manipulation of a switch, which coin closes an electric circuit containing said switch and rests against a movable stop until said stop is moved to release the coin and open the circuit, said stop being adapted to be moved manually.

In the improved apparatus constructed ac cording to the present invention the movable stop is formed or fitted on a slidable rod which is adapted to be raised at will to re lease a coin inserted into the apparatus, the movement of said rodbeing controlled manually, and if desired, novel means are'provided for indicating when a coin is in the apparatus and the electric current is avail able. V

The apparatus is particularly designed to enable a program to be examined in a theater or other place of entertainment when the lights are lowered, but there are other uses to which it may be put; it is of use in all public places and conveyances.

In the drawings 2' Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a suitable construction of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of same with the cover removed and showing the parts of the coin operated-mechanism in the positions they occupy before the insertion of a coin of the prescribed size and value into the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is also an elevation of the apparatus but with the battery removed and showing the parts of the mechanism in the positions they occupy when a coin has been fully inserted.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the appa ratus and Fig. 5 a horizontal section of same.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the apparatus.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of same with the cover removed and showing a coin inserted and in its circuit closing position; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are a detail elevation and a vertical section on the line 99 of Fig. 8 respectively, with parts of the mechanism removed andshowing the solenoid core in its coin releasing position.

Similar parts in the two constructions shown are indicated by like reference numorals.

A box or case 10 adapted to be secured to the back of a seat, with an opening 11 for the insertion of the coin 12 is fitted with an electric battery 13 Fig. 2, or is connected to one by wires 14, 14 and A Figs. 7 and 8, an electric bulb 15, and an aperture or window 16 through which the light from the bulb can shine. This aperture or window is preferably arranged to throw the light in a downward direction in order to avoid lighting up the person using it, and so distracting the attention of the players or spectators.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 too, a gravity or spring controlled lever 17 carry ing a contact 18 adapted to make contact with the external metal ferrule of the lamp 15 when the coin is inserted, is pivoted with in the box or case 10 and is formed with an arm 19 extending into a coin guide 20 fitted in the box or case and communicating with the coin slot 11 formed in the latter.

A vertically movable coin stop is provided and extended into the coin guide 20 but on the side opposite to that at which the arm 19 on the lever 17 enters. The stop is suit ably formed or fitted on a rod 21 which slidably mounted in the box or case 10 and is preferably bent to form a projection 22 extending into the coin guide 20 and servi as said stop which projection 22 when at its lowest point of movement as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, forms in conjunction with the arm 19 of the contact lever 17 a space through which the coin will not pass. The lower end of the rod 21 preferably extends below the case 10 as shown and the projection 22 thereon is so formed as to allow the coin to fall through the space when the rod is raised.

A push button 23, operating a contact spring 24, is placed at any convenient point in the circuit which connects the two poles 25 and 26 of the battery 13 through the lamp 15. A visual indicator suitably formed and mechanically connected to the mechanism is preferably provided and may comprise a spring mounted knob 27 which projects beyond the case 10 as shown in Figs. 3 and 1, when released and the apparatus is in use, but which normally engages with a catch 28 on the contact lever 17 as shown in Fig. 2 before the insertion of a coin. The indicator is so arranged that the lever 17 cannot make contact until it is released therefrom. Any other desirable form of indicator may, of course, be employed.

The operation of the apparatus above described is as follows When a coin 12 is inserted through the slot 11 into the coin guide 20 it presses against the arm 19 of the contact lever 17 projecting into the coinguide, releases the catch 28 from the indicator 27, and,'by causing the lever to turn on its axis presses and holds the contact 18 thereon in engagement with the ferrule of the lamp 15, as shown in Fig. 3, thus enabling the circuit to be completed by operating the push button 23.

While the coin 12 remains lodged in the guide 20 by being retained between the arm 19 and the stop 22 as shown in Fig. 3, and presses the lever 17 into contact, the circuit can be opened and closed through the lamp 15 as often and as long as desired by the manual manipulation of the press-button 23, but when the rod 21 and stop 22 are raised as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, the coin is dislodged and drops thus releasing the contact lever and breaking the circuit until another coin is inserted. A finger shield 10 is formed on the box or case 10 to prevent accidental lifting of the rod'21 and inadvertent releasing of the coin.

The indicator, if a knob 27 or some similar projection as 'above described, is then pressed down into engagement with the catch 28 on the lever.

It will be obvious that the indicator will show to an attendant that the apparatus has been used, so that after the performance the coin is released by means of the movable stop 22 and if a knob or some similar projection, the indicator is pressed into place for the next performance. I

The parts of the apparatus may be modified in arrangement and construction and in the minor details without departing from the spirit and sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the construction of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the coin release rod and the movable stop are operated electrically. The inserted coin engages as shown by a full line circle in Fig. 7, between a fixed terminal stop 18 connected to the lamp, a movable stop 22 formed on the upper end of a core or rod 29 of an electric solenoid 30, and a metal coin guide plate 20, and completes a circuit through the wire 14, the plate 26, the contact spring 24:, the lamp, the contact stop 18, the coin plate 20, the legs 20 thereof, the case 10 and the wire 14E, when the press button 23 and contact spring 24: are operated. After the performance the coin is released and caused to drop by manually switching on a current through the solenoid 30 and the wires 14*,

14 and 1 1*, thus causing the core 29 to rise and lift the movable stop 22 out of the path of the coin as indicated by the upper dotted line circle in Fig. 7. A plurality of these devices and their lamps and solenoids are particularly adaptable to be connected to a common source of electric supply, and a switch may be provided com-' mon to all the devices and be adapted through the medium of suitable electrical connections to raise all of their solenoid cores at one time.

The arrangement of the electric circuit may be varied. and provision may also be made for the secure fixing of the lamp, the battery, and other parts, in view of the amount of vibration and rough usage the apparatus would be subject to.

Several parts of the coin-operated and receiving mechanism are suitably insulated. For instance, in the constructionshown in Figs. 1 to5, the contact 18, the lamp 15, the spring 24 and the terminal 31 are all insulated from the case. Y

' What we claim is V 1. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a. case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a coin stop in the case, and a second coin stop operativcly mounted in the case for upward and downward sliding movement therein and coacting with the first mentioned coin stop to support a coin inserted in the case, said slidable coin stop being also adapted solely through its sliding movement to release the coin.

2. Coin-freed electric'illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever pivoted in the case and having a contact terminal included in said circuit, said lever also having a projection extending into the guide, a slidable rod operating within the case and having a projection extending into the guide for cooperation with the projecting portion of the said lever to support a' coin in the coin guide, said rod being movable upwardly and downwardly and adapted solely through its sliding move ment to release the coin by carrying its projection out of cooperative relation with the projection of the lever.

3. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide communicating with the said slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever pivoted in the case and adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a contact terminal in said circuit and provided also with a projection extending into the guide, a slidable rod operating within the case and having a projection extending into the guide and forming a stop to cooperate with the projection of the lever to support a coin in the guide, said rod being also adapted solely through its sliding movement to carry its stop out of cooperation with the projection of the lever to release the coin, and an indicator mounted in the case for movement through one wall thereof and constructed for detachable connection with the aforesaid lever and adapted to be released by the latter when the same is actuated by a coin.

i. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide communicating with the slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever having a contact included in said circuit and adapted to be actuated by a coin, said lever being also provided with a portion extending into the guide, a stop slidable upwardly and downwardly in the case and arranged to coact with the lever to support the coin in the guide, said stop being adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

5. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide communicating with the slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a contact included in said circuit when the lever has been actuated by the coin, said lever having a portion extending into said guide, a stop slidable upwardly and downwardly in a straight line in the case and arranged to coact with the lever to support the coin, said stop being adapted solely through its sliding movement to release the coin.

6. Coin-treed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case having a coin slot therein, a coin guide cooperating with the slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a contact included in the circuit when the lever has been moved by the coin, said lever being also provided with a projecting portion extending into the guide, a slidable rod mounted in the case for upward and downward movement and provided with a projection arranged to coact with the projecting portion of the lever to support a coin in the guide, said rod being vertically movable in a straight line and adapted solely through its slidable movement to carry its projection out of cooperative relation with the lever to release the coin.

7. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and a vertically movable rod having a coin stop forming a support for the coin, said rod being adapted through its slidable movement to carry the stop out of its supporting position to release the coin.

8. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case having a coin slot therein, a coin guide cotiperat-ing with the slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a contact included in the circuit when the lever is so actuated, said lever being also provided with a portion projecting into the guide, a slidable rod mounted in the case and carrying a projection for coaction with the projecting portion of the lever to support the coin in the guide, said rod being movable upwardly and downwardly and adapted solely through its slidable movement to carry its projection out of cooperative relation with the lever to release the coin.

9. Coin-freed electric illuminating ap aaratus comprising a case having a coin slot therein, a coin guide cooperating with said slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lever adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a contact included in the circuit when the lever is actuated by the coin, said lever being also provided with a portion projecting into the said guide, a slidable rod mounted in the said case and provided with a projection cooperating with the projecting portion of the lever to support a coin in the guide, said rod being adapted solely through its slidable move ment to carry its projection out of cooperative relation with the lever to release the coin, and an indicator normally held in inoperative position by said lever and adapted to be automatically released by the coin.

l0. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case cooperating with the said slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and means for arresting and supporting the coin in the guide including an element having an electric contact, and a slidable rod provided with a lateral projection and movable upwardly and clownwardly and adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

ll. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case cooperating with said slot, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and means for arresting and supporting a coin in the guide including an element having an electric contact arranged in the said circuit, and a slidable rod provided with a lateral projection extending into the guide, said rod being slidable vertically in substantial parallelism with the guide and adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

12' Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case cooperating with said slot, an electric circuit in the case adapted to be closed by a coin, means for arresting and supporting a coin in the guide including an element having a contact in said circuit, and a slidable rod having a lateral projection extending into the guide, said rod being movable upwardly and downwardly and adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

13. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case cooperating with the slot, means for arresting and supporting a coin in the guide including an element having an electric contact arranged in said circuit and a slidable rod having a lat eral projection extending into the guide, said rod being slidable vertically and adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

14;. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case having a coin slot, a coin guide in the case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and means for supporting a coin including two separable cooperating members arranged to support the coin, one of the elements being slid able upwardly and downwardly and adapt ed solely through its slidable movement to release the coin. V

15. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and means for supporting a coin including two separate cooperating elements arranged to support the coin, one of the elements being slidable vertically in substantial parallelism with the guide and adapted solely through its slidable movement to release the coin.

16. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case provided with a coin slot, a coin guide in the case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, and means for supporting a coin including two separate cooperating elements arranged to support the coin, one of the elements being slidable and having a lateral projection eX- tending into the guide, said slidable element being movable upwardly'and downwardly and adapted solely through its sliding movement to release the coin.

17. Coin-freed electric illuminating apparatus comprising a case, a coin guide in the case, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by a coin, a lamp in said circuit, a lever adapted to be actuated by a coin and having a make and" break electric connection with said lamp, an indicator having a detachable connection with said lever, and a switch in said circuit to close the same to light the lamp.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures.

HENRY EDWIN STILES.

ALBERT HENRY FRANKS PERL. 

